One Man Dead After Boat Overturns Under Dick Misner Bridge

posted by Operation Storm Watch -
Sep 26, 2018

St. Petersburg, Fla.(970 WFLA)-A Pinellas Park man is dead after the boat he was in overturned.

According to the sheriff's office, 59 year old Robert Kleinman of Pinellas Park and 62 year old Stephen Smith of St. Petersburg were in a 15 foot Ghennoe, fishing near the Dick Misner bridge, when the wake of passing boats, filled the Gheenoe with water, causing it to capsize.

A bicyclist riding over the bridge noticed the men struggling to right the Gheenoe, and called 911.

Paramedics found Smith clinging to the back of the overturned boat, another large wake separated Kleinman from the Gheenoe, causing him to float away.

Paramedics found Kleinman nearby, and rushed him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Deputies say Kleinman had a pre-existing medical condition that may have contributed to his death. Smith was not injured.